Interest In Law Draws Iw Deputy Clerk To 3rd Job

Lorrie Trout says she knew little about being deputy clerk when she accepted the job in 1987, but having already had three careers, she says she was trainable.

Before becoming one of four deputy clerks for Isle of Wight County, Trout had worked 11 years with a former military broker, VH Monette & Co. of Smithfield, as assistant director of customer service.

Before working with VH Monette & Co., Trout worked in Isle of Wight County Schools as a Title 1 math teacher for two years. She also worked in data processing in the circulation department of the Virginian Pilot.

Trout, who lives in Smithfield, says her desire to work near her home and her interest in law, prompted her to accept the deputy clerk's position.

"The law has always intrigued me, but never enough to make me want to go to law school," says Trout. "There was a lot to learn."

The deputy clerks are the keepers of the county's records. Their records include deeds, marriage licenses, passports, wills and administrative documents. William Lang, Jr. is clerk of court.

"The volume of work we do is unreal," says Trout. Still, "there's not the pressure and demand of the corporate world."

One reason Trout and her husband, Gary, of 27 years, moved from Norfolk to Isle of Wight County after their children were born, was because the couple wanted "country living and a slower pace."

Trout says her greatest accomplishment has been having a family. She and her husband have a daughter, Jennifer, 21, and a son, Jeff, 20.

"I spent a lot of years being mommy and chauffeur and housekeeper," she says. Now that Jennifer, a college senior, and Jeff, who works, are grown, she and her husband have gotten to know each other again, says Trout. They often go for walks together.

A member and former church organist at Carrolton Baptist Church, Trout says she finally learned to say "no" to a long list of community activities and keep her family her priority.

A "type B" personality, Trout considers herself easygoing and says she doesn't worry. She says prayer and a positive attitude help keep her spirit high. Her motto when problems occur is "this too, will pass."